Dead-core solutions and critical Thiele modulus for slabs with a distributed catalyst and external mass transfer

The formation of dead zones in reaction-diffusion processes in slabs with a distributed catalyst and external mass transfer is investigated. The reaction kinetics is of the power-law type with a fractional reaction exponent. The critical Thiele modulus and semi-analytical dead-core solutions are derived. The effects of process parameters on the critical Thiele modulus, dead-zone length, and effectiveness factor are presented and compared with the case of a uniform catalyst distribution. Analytical findings are verified by numerical simulations.